Several inches of snow coated the county this weekend but our dedicated teachers and school staff largely made it into work and ensured most Essex schools opened as usual.

The latest list collated by BBC Essex shows more of our schools were open yesterday than when the county was hit by heavy snow last winter.

County Councillor Stephen Castle, Cabinet Member for Education and 2012, said: “I am thrilled to hear most of our schools were able to continue with lessons as normal. I want to say a big thank you to those schools and their staff for making it in despite the freezing temperatures and severe weather conditions.

It is a shame there are a few which have had to close but I’m sure the decision to do so would have been a last resort. Schools have a responsibility to pupils and their parents to provide education and wherever possible I would encourage schools to stay open to fulfil this obligation. If a school is planning on closing then I would ask they let parents know as soon as possible so they have the time to make alternative childcare arrangements.”

According to a list of schools collated by BBC Essex, more than 500 of Essex’s schools remained open. Only around 6% of schools were unable to open as a result of the severe weather conditions.